Mobile derrick

ABSTRACT

A mobile derrick includes a chassis frame and a mast frame rigidly mounted on the chassis frame. A mast is rigidly secured to the mast frame and extends upwardly therefrom for supporting a derrick at its upper end. A body is mounted over the chassis frame in a manner which permits it to be free from rigid connection with the mast so as to allow the mast, mast frame, and chassis frame to deflect independently of the body.

United States Patent Balogh 1 Feb. 22, 1972 54] MOBILE DERRICK 3,056,510 10/1962 Garnett ..212/59 [72] inventor: Roy Balogh, St. Louis County, Mo. 35 955;: [731 Assignee: McCabe-Powers Body Company, St. Louis, 3 9 I968 Cartel 0/ 065 M 3,494,489 2/1970 Kruger ..2l2/59 3,306,373 2/1967 Pitman... .212/55 [221 led: June 1969 3,426,917 2/1969 Siege] ..212/55 [21] App1.No.: 835,445

Primary Examiner-Harvey C. Homsby AltorneyJohn D. Pope, Ill [52] US. Cl ..2l2/l, 212/35, 212/55,

212/59, 280/ 106.5 [57] ABSTRACT lil r'iiifli arzri333:::::::::::3:33::3:3515;1;';;;;za;a;;'i?f A meiiie eeiiiei iiieiiiiiee e eiieeeie iieiie i meei iieiie 212/55. 214/75 75 280/1065 rigidly mounted on the chassis frame. A mast 1s rigidly secured to the mast frame and extends upwardly therefrom for sup- [56] References Cited porting a derrick at its upper end. A body is mounted over the chassis frame in a manner which pennits it to be free from UNlTED STATES pATENTS rigid connection with the mast so as to allow the mast, mast frame, and chassis frame to deflect independently of the body. 2,961,102 11/1960 Pitman ..2l2/35 Paul ..2l2/l45 l 1 Claims, 9 Drawing Figures PATENTEDFEBZZISIZ 3.643.815

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INVENTOR ROY BALOGH BY WQQQ XTTOR'NEY MOBILE DERRICK This invention relates to derricks and more specifically to mobile derricks.

Many companies such as utility companies are currently using vehicles which have derricks mounted on them so as to make possible the quick and easy transportation of the derricks to the place where they are needed. These mobile derricks are usually mounted on a mast which is rigidly secured to the vehicle. The derricks are adapted to swing about vertical and horizontal axes during their use. For working on utility lines it is advantageous to locate the mast on the rear righthand side of the vehicle so that when the vehicle is parked on the right-hand side of the street the derrick will be located on the side of the vehicle facing the utility lines. Most masts used for supporting derricks are secured at their lower ends to the frame of the vehicle and include a forwardly extending diagonal brace which is tied into the body of the vehicle. The weight of the derrick causes torque to be applied to the mast, and this torque sets up many stresses and strains within the mast as the derrick moves to its various positions. The mast often tilts in response to these stresses and strains, thereby twisting and deflecting the vehicle frame, the diagonal brace and the body. Twisting of the body is undesirable because doors become jammed and bent, and permanent distortion of the body's shape often results. This invention provides a means for supporting a mast wherein the mast is disassociated completely from the body of the truck and is supported solely by the frame so that the body will not be deflected by movement of the mast.

Among the several objects of the present invention may be noted the provision of a mobile derrick which includes a mast supported independently from the vehicle body; the provision of a mobile derrick which permits the mast and the frame to deflect independently from the body; the provision of a mobile derrick which includes a mast and frame for supporting the derrick and for withstanding distorting forces and torques of high magnitude; the provision of a mobile derrick which includes a mast rigidly connected to a mast frame and additionally tied in with the chassis frame; the provision of a mobile derrick which includes outriggers connected to the frame and disconnected from the body so that they will support the frame independently from the body; and the provision of a mobile derrick which is durable in use and economical to manufacture. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter.

The invention accordingly comprises the constructions hereinafter described, the scope of the invention being indicated in the following claims.

In the accompanying drawings, in which one of various possible embodiments of the invention is illustrated,

FIG. I is a side elevational view of a mobile derrick;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the mobile derrick of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a sectional view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the vehicle'body;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along line 66 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the body frame mounted on the mast frame and chassis frame;

FIG. 8 is a detailed side elevational view of the means for mounting the body frame to the mast frame; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 8.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

Numeral l0 designates a vehicle for carrying derricks. A chassis frame 12 includes two parallel chassis side members 14 which extend along the length of vehicle and which are joined by a plurality of chassis cross-ties 16. Side members 14 are C-shaped in cross section with their cross-sectional open ends facing one another. Forward and rear wheel and axle assemblies 18 are mounted to chassis frame 12 in a conventional manner. On the front of chassis frame 12 is mounted a conventional vehicle cab 20.

Rigidly mounted above chassis frame 12 behind cab 20 is a mast frame 22. Mast frame 22 includes a rectangular front section 23 (FIG. 3) formed by two mast side members 24. a plurality of mast crossties 26, and two diagonal ties 28. Rigidly secured across the extreme rear end of front section 23 is a crossbeam 30. Gussets 31 reinforce the securement between crossbeam 30 and rectangular front section 23. Crossbeam 30 is rectangular in cross section and hollow along its length. It has a vertical thickness approximately twice that of the vertical thickness of rectangular front section 23. Rectangular front section 23 is mounted to the lower half of crossbeam 30 so that crossbeam 30 forms a forwardly facing abutment 32 (FIGS. 1 and 7), which projects above the extreme rear end of rectangular front section 23. Extending within crossbeam 30 and bolted to the top thereof is a reinforcing diagonal 34 which is L-shaped in cross section (FIG. 4). Diagonal 34 reinforces crossbeam 30 so that it will minimize deflection of crossbeam 30 when stresses are exerted on one end thereof. At the right end 35 of crossbeam 30 is a rectangular mast cutout 36. Mast cutout 36 is three-sided with its fourth side being open at right end 35. The left end 38 of crossbeam 30 includes a vertically disposed outrigger cutout 40. Welded to the upper surface of crossbeam 30 immediately behind outrigger cutout 40 is a rectangular control box 42 which extends upwardly from crossbeam 30. Mounted to the rear of control box 42 and extending downwardly through outrigger cutout 40 is an extensible outrigger 44. Extensible outrigger 44 includes an extensible foot 46 which is adapted to extendfrom an outrigger casing 48 so that it will engage the ground to support vehicle 10 when the derrick is in operation.

Rigidly mounted in mast cutout 36 is a vertically disposed mast 50 which is rectangular in cross section and which fits snugly within mast cutout 36 where it is welded. The lower end of mast 50 protrudes a short distance below crossbeam 30. At the extreme lower end of mast 50 on its outwardly disposed side is an outrigger pivot mount 52 to which is pivotally secured an articulated outrigger 54. Articulated outrigger 54 includes a foot 56 on its extreme outer end and is swingable about a horizontal axis from a folded position whereinit is vertically disposed alongside mast 50 to an unfolded position wherein foot 56 engages the ground. A hydraulic drive means 58 is pivotally secured at one of its ends to articulated outrigger 54and at the other of its ends to mast 50. As hydraulic drive means 58 extends, it causes articulated outrigger 54 to move from its folded position to its unfolded position.

At the extreme upper end of mast 50 is mounted a turret 60 which is adapted to rotate on mast 50 about a vertical axis. Turret 60 includes flanges 62 which pivotally support a derrick 64 for swinging movement about a horizontal axis. A hydraulic cylinder 66 is pivotally connected at its opposite ends to turret 60 and derrick 64, respectively, and is adapted to extend and retract to cause swinging movement of derrick 64 about a horizontal axis. The particular type of derrick which is mounted on mast 50 does not comprise a part of this invention. Any type of derrick may be mounted on the extreme upper end of mast 50.

Mast frame 22 is mounted above chassis frame 12 with mast side members 24 resting on chassis side members 14 and with crossbeam 30 resting across the extreme rear ends of chassis side members 14. Welded between crossbeam 30 and chassis side members 14 are a pair of tie plates 68. Tie plates 68 are L- shaped in cross section and are welded so that they embrace the upper and outer surfaces of chassis side members 14, thereby tying crossbeam 30 to side members 14. Mast frame 22 is further secured to chassis frame 12 by a plurality of securing plates 70 which are bolted and welded across the outer surfaces of mast side members 24 and chassis side members 14.

Between the right-hand chassis side member 14 and the lower end of mast 50 is a U-shaped channel 72 which has one of its sides welded to tie plates 68 and the other of its sides welded to the inwardly disposed surface of mast 50. Extending transversely between the upwardly disposed walls of U-shaped channel 72 is a transverse channel 74 (FIGS. 2 and 3). U- shaped channel 72 and transverse channel 74 reinforce the lower end of mast 50 so as to prevent pivoting of mast 50 within mast cutout 36 of crossbeam 30. The weight of derrick 64 causes a torque to be applied to mast 50 with mast cutout 36 acting as a fulcrum. This torque would break or seriously weaken the securement of mast 50 to crossbeam 30 were it not for the stabilizing effect which channels 70 and 74 provide. U-shaped channel 72 serves as a step when the vehicle is fully assembled and in use.

A vehicle body 76 (FIGS. 1 and includes a floor 78, two lateral walls 80, a forward wall 82, and a body frame 84 mounted below floor 78. Body frame 84 includes two parallel body side members 86 which are joined by a plurality of body crossties 88. Lateral walls 80 are provided with a plurality of compartments 90 having doors therein for storing tools and other equipment. Body frame 84 is of substantially the same rectangular shape as rectangular front section 23 of mast frame 22. Body 76 rests on top of mast frame 22 and chassis frame 12 with body frame 84 coinciding with and resting on top of rectangular front section 23 of mast frame 22. The eX- treme rear end of body frame 84 abuts against the forwardly facing abutment 32 of crossbeam 30.

Secured to the outer faces of body side members 86 are a plurality of body suspension brackets 92. Each body suspension bracket 92 is comprised of a vertically disposed channel which is L-shaped in cross section and which includes a horizontal flange 94 at its lower end. Body suspension brackets 92 extend downwardly below the lower edges of body side members 86 and slidably embrace the outwardly facing surfaces of mast side members 24, thereby holding body frame 84 against lateral movement with respect to mast frame 22. A plurality of lower mounting brackets 96 are mounted on mast side members 24 immediately below and in alignment with body suspension brackets 92. Lower mounting brackets 96 include a horizontal flange 98 which faces horizontal flange 94 of suspension brackets 92. A bolt 100 extends slidably upwardly through apertures in horizontal flanges 98, 94, of body suspension brackets 96, 92. A coil spring 102 surrounds bolt 100 and extends between flange 94 and a washer 104 at the extreme upper end of bolt 100. This structural configuration provides spring mounting for body 76. As mast frame 22 and chassis frame 12 twist and deflect, springs 102 will permit movement to take place between body 76 and the mast and chassis frames. The mounting of mast 50 so that it is spaced apart from and disconnected from body 76 eliminates the twisting of body 76 resulting from deflection and twisting of mast 50, mast frame 22 and chassis frame 12. Crossbeam 30, mast 50, mast frame 22 and chassis frame 12 are free to twist and deflect independently from body 76.

The portion of mast 50 which extends above floor 78 of body 76 is completely free from connection or engagement with body 76. There is no diagonal brace extending from mast 50 downwardly alongside lateral walls 80 of body 76 as in previous devices. This previous means of mounting the mast tied it structurally into the body and caused twisting of the body whenever movement of the mast took place. With the structural configuration of this invention, movement of mast 50 will impart little or no deflection to body 76.

Outriggers 44, 54, are mounted on mast frame 22 and are not tied in with body 76. Thus when the outriggers are in use, the stabilizing support they provide is confined to mast frame 22 and they exert no stresses or strains on body 76.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

What is claimed is:

l. A mobile derrick for a vehicle comprising an elongated chassis drawn by said vehicle, derrick support means including a derrick support portion and an elongated mast frame provided on said chassis and rigidly mounted thereto, said derrick of said chassis, said mast frame and body frame being formed by transversely spaced side members, end members and a plurality of crosstie members, wherein one end of said mast frame abuts said derrick support portion and the corresponding end of said body frame extends adjacent said derrick support portion, said body frame support means being detachably secured to said derrick support means and resiliently mounted thereon for relative movement with respect to said derrick support means, said derrick and said chassis, and a vehicle body rigidly secured to said body frame support means for resilient movement with said body frame, whereby stresses imposed on said derrick and transmitted to said derrick support means and said chassis are substantially isolated from said vehicle body.

2. The mobile derrick of claim 1 wherein said chassis includes opposite chassis end portions and spaced and parallel side support members, said derrick support means comprising an elongated crossbeam provided at one chassis end portion of said chassis frame transversely mounted thereon.

3. The mobile derrick of claim 2 wherein said crossbeam further includes a pair of articulated outriggers provided at opposite ends of said crossbeam.

4. The mobile derrick of claim 2 wherein said crossbeam includes an upwardly extending derrick mast rigidly secured thereto.

5. The mobile derrick of claim 4 wherein the ends of said crossbeam project beyond said parallel side support members and said upwardly extending derrick mast is disposed at one of said projecting ends of said crossbeam, said crossbeam further including a pair of articulated outriggers provided at said projecting ends, one of said outriggers being secured to said derrick mast and the other said outrigger being remotely disposed from said mast frame.

6. The mobile derrick of claim 2 wherein said mast frame includes opposite mast frame end portions corresponding to said chassis end portions, one said mast frame end portion being rigidly secured to said crossbeam in abutting relationship therewith.

7. The mobile derrick of claim 6 wherein said body frame support means includes opposite body frame end portions corresponding to said mast frame end portions, one said body frame end portion provided adjacent said crossbeam such that said body frame end portion is independently movable with respect to said crossbeam.

8. The mobile derrick of claim 2 wherein said crossbeam is of hollow configuration having a substantially rectangular cross section, said crossbeam including an internal diagonal brace secured to opposite sidewalls of said beam to reinforce said beam, said brace extending from one projecting end of said crossbeam toward the other projecting end thereof.

9. The mobile derrick of claim 2 wherein said crossbeam is of hollow configuration having a rectangular cross section, said crossbeam including an upwardly extending mast portion rigidly secured to one of said projecting end portions of said crossbeam.

10. The mobile derrick of claim 4 wherein said derrick mast includes a tail portion depending from said crossbeam in substantial alignment with said upwardly extending portion of said derrick mast, said derrick further comprising a stabilizer channel disposed between said tail portion and said chassis frame in abutting relationship therewith to prevent twisting of said derrick mast with respect to said crossbeam. l

11. The mobile derrick of claim 10 wherein said stabilizer channel is of hollow configuration and open at one end to form a step that accommodates a persons foot. 

1. A mobile derrick for a vehicle comprising an elongated chassis drawn by said vehicle, derrick support means including a derrick support portion and an elongated mast frame provided on said chassis and rigidly mounted thereto, said derrick being supported by said chassis and said derrick support means, elongated body frame support means being of a closed geometrical arrangement, said mast frame and said body frame support means extending substantially the entire length of said chassis, said mast frame and body frame being formed by transversely spaced side members, end members and a plurality of crosstie members, wherein one end of said mast frame abuts said derrick support portion and the corresponding end of said body frame extends adjacent said derrick support portion, said body frame support means being detachably secured to said derrick support means and resiliently mounted thereon for relative movement with respect to said derrick support means, said derrick and said chassis, and a vehicle body rigidly secured to said body frame support means for resilient movement with said body frame, whereby stresses imposed on said derrick and transmitted to said derrick support means and said chassis are substantially isolated from said vehicle body.
 2. The mobile derrick of claim 1 wherein said chassis includes opposite chassis end portions and spaced and parallel side support members, said derrick support means comprising an elongated crossbeam provided at one chassis end portion of said chassis frame transversely mounted thereon.
 3. The mobile derrick of claim 2 wherein said crossbeam further includes a pair of articulated outriggers provided at opposite ends of said crossbeam.
 4. The mobile derrick of claim 2 wherein said crossbeam includes an upwardly extending derrick mast rigidly secured thereto.
 5. The mobile derrick of claim 4 wherein the ends of said crossbeam project beyond said parallel side support members and said upwardly extending derrick mast is disposed at one of said projecting ends of said crossbeam, said crossbeam further including a pair of articulated outriggers provided at said projecting ends, one of said outriggers being secured to said derrick mast and the other said outrigger being remotely disposed from said mast frame.
 6. The mobile derrick of claim 2 wherein said mast frame includes opposite mast frame end portions corresponding to said chassis end portions, one said mast frame end portion being rigidly secured to said crossbeam in abutting relationship therewith.
 7. The mobile derrick of cLaim 6 wherein said body frame support means includes opposite body frame end portions corresponding to said mast frame end portions, one said body frame end portion provided adjacent said crossbeam such that said body frame end portion is independently movable with respect to said crossbeam.
 8. The mobile derrick of claim 2 wherein said crossbeam is of hollow configuration having a substantially rectangular cross section, said crossbeam including an internal diagonal brace secured to opposite sidewalls of said beam to reinforce said beam, said brace extending from one projecting end of said crossbeam toward the other projecting end thereof.
 9. The mobile derrick of claim 2 wherein said crossbeam is of hollow configuration having a rectangular cross section, said crossbeam including an upwardly extending mast portion rigidly secured to one of said projecting end portions of said crossbeam.
 10. The mobile derrick of claim 4 wherein said derrick mast includes a tail portion depending from said crossbeam in substantial alignment with said upwardly extending portion of said derrick mast, said derrick further comprising a stabilizer channel disposed between said tail portion and said chassis frame in abutting relationship therewith to prevent twisting of said derrick mast with respect to said crossbeam.
 11. The mobile derrick of claim 10 wherein said stabilizer channel is of hollow configuration and open at one end to form a step that accommodates a person''s foot. 